Steven Linkous, Zack Canada and Robbie Thorburn had three hits apiece as UNCW knocked off the College of Charleston 8-3 in a Colonial Athletic Association series opener at Brooks Field on Friday night.
The Seahawks picked up their nation-leading 18th consecutive win at home and ran their record to 32-10 overall and 12-2 in the league. Charleston, meanwhile, dropped to 23-20-1 and 7-9.
UNCW senior Ryan Foster (10-1) earned his fifth straight win and tied the school-record for wins by a senior set by Ronald Hill in 2005. Foster allowed three runs on four hits over seven innings, while walking two and striking out four.
Charleston grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning only to see UNCW respond with four runs in the bottom of the frame, all with two out. Casey Golden got UNCW on the board with a two-run homer and Daniel Stack followed with a solo shot to tie the game. The Seahawks strung together five straight hits in the outburst.
The difference in the game was UNCW plating six, two-out RBI’s, while collecting 10 hits with two outs.
Offensively, UNCW racked up 16 hits. Canada scored three runs and Golden collected two hits, including his seventh home run of the season, with two RBI’s.
The series continues on Saturday with a 4 p.m. start.
